Daily Times

Sir: It is sad that despite the increased power outages and their extremely negative impact on industrial production and commercial activity, the government has not really taken the public into confidence about what it is doing to correct this deficit. One aspect of this issue is the question of coal. Pakistan has one of the largest coal reserves in the world in the Thar Desert. Yet for decades, despite knowledge of these reserves, successive Pakistani governments have failed to exploit this in the national interest.

It is estimated by geologists and power experts that the Thar coal is enough to power Pakistan for centuries. Further, the technology to generate power through coal is well established and refined, and there are even environmentally friendly ways of exploiting coal. It is up to Pakistan to ensure that its massive coal reserves are put to good use. We are currently using imported oil, which is the largest single item on our import bill and a huge drain on our exchequer, to fire most of our power plants. Should we convert to coal-fired plants, we should be able to not only reduce our expenditures, but will also provide local industry competitive edge in the global market.
The government must take note of these factors and begin work on the exploitation of Thar coal immediately. Petty political differences and laziness are not acceptable excuses in a matter of national interest.
ZAEEM SHEIKH
Lahore